10/22/2024
Co-Founder, Ali Huntoon, is a Trustee of the Midland Area Community Foundation! Read more about her story❤️
"My name is Ali Huntoon, and I, along with my husband, Scott, own Allied HR Solutions and Allied Group Fitness.
I grew up in Bay City and attended Bay City Central. I was definitely always a more outgoing dance, choir and theater kid, but I didn't get involved in other groups outside of school or do much volunteering. High school was fun, but I felt I had to be a particular person, look a certain way, and follow specific paths.
After high school, I attended Alma College. It wasn't until my junior year of college that I realized I could do whatever I wanted—I could reinvent myself as many times as needed. I often tell people now, "You're never too old, and it's never too late." It's all possible, whether it's starting a new hobby, building your own family, or becoming a different version of yourself. During my junior year, I finally started coming into my own. I started coming out of my shell more and doing things that my inner child loved - like wearing tie-dye shirts all the time just because I loved them. From that point on, I embraced doing my own thing.
Through mutual friends, I met Scott, who is now my husband. He lived in Midland and already owned a house here. When I landed a contracting job at Dow, it made sense to stay in Midland rather than continue living with my parents—saving money, paying off student loans, all those adulting things. So, I spent more and more time in Midland until I eventually moved here for good and became a Midlander.
My love for movement blossomed near the end of my corporate HR journey. My last job was as an HR manager, and at the time, I was already teaching spin classes a couple of times a week at a local studio in Midland. When I took that HR job, I made it clear that I needed flexibility to teach because it brought me so much joy. Toward the end of that role, I realized I needed something unique in my next career move that would allow me to have the flexibility to make an impact and still engage in HR initiatives. My husband suggested I consider supporting small businesses in town with their HR needs, which I should have realized, given my upbringing. My dad was a small business owner who installed seawalls, and as a child, I often answered the phone and took messages—sometimes getting the numbers wrong, of course. My mom handled payroll and bookkeeping while my dad worked long hours, making it all work. Scott sparked the leap. He had a stable job at Hemlock Semiconductor and encouraged me to go for it, knowing we had his career to fall back on. It was scary, and I don't think I would have done it without that push. I'm more confident now, but at the time, I probably would have stayed in that corporate job for a while longer.
When the pandemic hit—oh my Gosh, that was a curveball. I left my job in February 2020, and everything had gone wild by March. I panicked because I had no clients, no work, and I had just quit my corporate job amid a shut down world. I remember thinking, "What am I going to do?" So, I joined the Midland Business Alliance (MBA), hoping for networking opportunities and connections that could help me. I met Tina Lewis, formerly of the Business Alliance's staff, at Live Oak, and she explained what the MBA could offer. I was so nervous doing anything new that first year—heart racing, stomach in knots—but Tina believed in me. She told me I'd be a great ambassador one day, and even though I had no idea what that meant at the time, her confidence in me was a turning point. You always need that one person to believe in you. Despite my nerves, I just kept going. That first year was about doing things afraid, but it worked out.
Allied HR Solutions and Allied Group Fitness officially started online. I launched the HR business first, working from home. My first client came from a referral through the MBA—they needed a handbook, and I was thrilled. From there, the business grew, and soon I needed a team. We worked virtually or at coffee shops, but I felt we needed more camaraderie and team-building. Plus, having a physical space gives you more credibility. I also taught fitness classes virtually during the pandemic—two classes every night from my basement and some on the weekends. I built a pretty solid online following, which was so much fun. Some of those people are still my clients and now friends. It's funny to think we met through a screen. Finding two spots beside each other was challenging, but we did it. We've been in the plaza on the corner of Waldo and Bay City Rd. for a couple of years now. It has been fantastic.
During the pandemic, Renee Smith, the former Downtown Midland Events Coordinator, reached out about doing outdoor yoga classes. This was still when the pandemic was winding down, so outdoor events were common. Plus, people were craving social interaction after so much isolation. We started with a few yoga classes, and the turnout was incredible. Over time, we expanded the offerings to include Pound, Zumba, and other classes. It's been amazing to see people from different backgrounds, fitness levels, and demographics coming together. There's so much joy in movement, and I love offering free classes because once people experience how fun and uplifting movement can be, they'll keep coming back. It's not just about physical health—although that's important too—but about wellbeing. My goal is to keep dancing in my living room until I'm 100, and I want others to find that same joy and establish their own goals.
I enjoy getting to know people and learning about the little things that make them unique. I'm all about small talk—I love it. I always joke with my husband that while he's satisfied connecting with people that are already established connections, I'm in a corner at the bar talking to someone about their careers, children and dogs, even though I'll probably never see them again, but that's just who I am. Kindness goes a long way, and remembering the small details about someone's life makes them feel included and valued. Whether it's giving a big wave and a smile or remembering to ask about their child’s birthday party last weekend, those little things make people feel special and want to come back. Everyone wants to feel loved and included, regardless of their origin or background. When you make people feel that way, they become invested in you and your community.
Scott is the perfect complement to me. He's been with Hemlock Semiconductor for 15 years but also plays a massive role in our businesses. He's the idea man who thinks outside the box, while I'm more of the "this feels safe" type. He always pushes me out of my comfort zone, reminding me that nothing great happens without taking risks. He has a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship, and this journey has been as much his as it has been mine. He comes up with the ideas, and I put my "Ali spin" on them.
As I've established myself here, I've let my authentic self out more and more. In the beginning, I had to be serious to be taken seriously, especially as a young HR professional who was blonde and new to the field. But now, I'm letting my "weird" out, little by little. I try to bring my entire self to the organizations I'm affiliated with. I’m an Ambassador for the Midland Business Alliance, a member of the Business Alliance's Board of Directors, and, as of recently, I'm a member of the City of Midland's Downtown Development Authority.
I joined the Midland Area Community Foundation board a few months ago, and it's been a fantastic experience. I've gotten to meet so many people and learn more about the Community Foundation's mission and all of the things that it does right here in Midland and its surrounding areas. It's vital that everyone in our county is seen, heard, and included. It's been an awesome experience to learn more about what the Community Foundation does and contribute more to its continued success.
For anyone interested in getting involved with the Community Foundation, I say Do it! Do it. Do it. Do it. Every single thing that the Community Foundation does impacts someone. I think no matter if you are serving on the board level, if you're a staff member, if you're just volunteering for an event, if you're on a committee, no matter what you do alongside the Community Foundation, you're making your impact.
Ultimately, I want Midland to be an inclusive community where everyone thrives. That's not only a part of our community's vision statement but also in alignment with the goals of Allied HR Solutions and Allied Group Fitness—to create spaces where everyone feels welcome, included, and happy. When you find what lights you up or the people who become your best friends, it's a game changer. My hope for Midland is that everyone finds a space where they can thrive, regardless of our differences. Everyone deserves to feel like they belong and can flourish in this community."
